Cam Newton lifts Panthers over Patriots

The Panthers’ Cam Newton, center, scrambles as the Patriots’ Dont’a Hightower, left, and Nate Ebner pursue during the second half of Monday’s game in Charlotte, N.C.
Bob Leverone — The Associated Press

CHARLOTTE, N.C. >> Cam Newton threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Ted Ginn Jr. with 59 seconds left and the Carolina Panthers held off the New England Patriots 24-20 Monday night for their sixth straight victory when officials picked up a penalty flag on the final play.

Stephen Gostkowski’s 26-yard field goal put the Patriots up 20-17 before Newton drove Carolina 83 yards on 13 plays for the go-ahead touchdown. The speedy Ginn escaped Kyle Arrington along the left sideline and outraced Logan Ryan to the left pylon for his third touchdown of the season.

Newton completed 19 of 28 passes for 209 yards and three touchdowns.

Tom Brady didn’t go down without a fight.

With 59 seconds and three timeouts to work with, Brady got the Patriots to the Carolina 18 with 3 seconds left but was intercepted in the end zone by safety Robert Lester as time expired.

Officials initially threw a flag on the play, apparently for pass interference, but then waved it off.